Inflammasome-regulated cytokines are critical mediators of acute lung injury.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Despite advances in clinical management, there are currently no reliable diagnostic and therapeutic targets for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The inflammasome/caspase-1 pathway regulates the maturation and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-18). IL-18 is associated with injury in animal models of systemic inflammation.

Objectives

We sought to determine the contribution of the inflammasome pathway in experimental acute lung injury and human ARDS.

Methods

We performed comprehensive gene expression profiling on peripheral blood from patients with critical illness. Gene expression changes were assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction, and IL-18 levels were measured in the plasma of the critically ill patients. Wild-type mice

SUBMITTER: Dolinay T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3373064 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature